Morné Steyn

Morné Steyn (born 11 July 1984) is a South African former professional rugby union player who played as a fly-half for the Bulls and played for the South Africa national team, up until his retirement from international test rugby in October 2021.[2]

Morné Steyn
Steyn in 2009
Date of birth (1984-07-11) 11 July 1984
Place of birthCape Town, Cape Province, Republic of South Africa
Height1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in)[1]
Weight91 kg (201 lb; 14 st 5 lb)[1]
SchoolHoërskool Sand du Plessis
Spouse
Christelle Van Zyl
​
(m. 2009)​
Children3
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-half, Centre
Current team Bulls / Blue Bulls
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013–2020 Stade Français 135 (725)
Correct as of 3 March 2021
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2003–2013, 2020–2023 Blue Bulls 75 (828)
Correct as of 23 July 2022
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2005–2013, 2020– Bulls 153 (1,665)
Correct as of 23 July 2022
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009–2021 South Africa 68 (742)
Correct as of 14 August 2021

Steyn has won an Under-21 World Cup, three Currie Cups, three Super Rugby titles, one Super Rugby unlocked, one Tri-Nations, one French Top 14 title and two British and Irish Lions series.

Playing career

With the Bulls, he was a member of the team that won Super Rugby in 2007, 2009 and 2010. In 2009 and 2010, he was the leading point scorer in the league. In the 2009 semi-final against the Crusaders, he kicked four drop goals, a league record for a single game.[3]

From 2013 to 2020, he played in the French Top 14 for Stade Français. He made his debut on 30 August 2013 in a 38–3 win over Biarritz. Coming on in the 60th minute, he scored four points by converting two tries.[4]

South Africa

In early 2009, South Africa coach Peter de Villiers stated his preference for Ruan Pienaar in the Springbok number 10 jersey despite Steyn performing very well in the Super 14 tournament. Steyn was on the replacement bench during the second Test of the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa, when Pienaar's kicking game disintegrated. Steyn replaced Pienaar and immediately slotted two conversions and two penalties – including one from 53 metres (58 yd) in the dying minutes of the game, which gave the Springboks the match and the series in dramatic fashion.

On 1 August 2009, South Africa beat New Zealand 31–19 in their 2009 Tri Nations Series match in Durban. On only his fifth cap and his second start, Steyn scored all of the Springboks' 31 points (8 penalty kicks, as well as converting his own try).[5] This broke several records, among them the record for the most points by an individual in a Tri Nations match, previously held by Andrew Mehrtens with his 29 points against Australia in 1999 (one conversion and nine penalties).[6]

Steyn scored the most points by a player at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, 62 points.

In August 2021, having not played for South Africa since 2016, he was selected as a substitute for the deciding third test against the British & Irish Lions. He replaced Handré Pollard in the second half, and, as he had in 2009, kicked two late penalties to help South Africa win the game and the series.[7]

Honours

References
  1. "SA Rugby Player Profile – Morné Steyn". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  2. "Steyn retires from Bok rugby".
  3. "Steyn sets drop goals record". News24. 23 May 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  4. "L'Equipe". L'Equipe.fr. 30 August 2013. Archived from the original on 2 September 2013.
  5. "Steyn Leads Springboks to Tri-Nations Victory". The New York Times. 1 August 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
  6. "Record-breaker Morne Steyn brings South Africa victory against All Blacks". The Guardian. 1 August 2009. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  7. "South Africa claim series win over British & Irish Lions after late Morne Steyn penalty". ESPN. 7 August 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
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